Category Archives: Archives

Nice people with good intentions say dumb things. They’ll tell you to cheer up, buck up and to look on the bright side. This is generally unhelpful. Instead of showering us with clichés, acknowledge where we’re at and meet us there. Validation helps. It goes against the grain of most folks to recognize when people […]

The dirty little secret about mental health is that we’re making most of this stuff up as we go along. There is important science and research that seeks to heal those impacted by organic illnesses, developmental disorders and neurological conditions. These are primarily conditions people are born with that are objectively understood. Most of mental […]

For those on the path toward any addiction there are thrilling moments of anticipation that are a minor high in and of themselves. It’s hard to miss the excitement of a guy who’s on his way to buy an 8 ball of cocaine. The obvious eagerness in an opiate abuser grinding up a pill looks […]

“People walk around they don’t know what they’re doing They been lost so long they don’t know what they’ve been looking for Well, I know what I’m a looking for but I just can’t find it I guess I gotta look inside of myself some more.” – Donovan “Riki Tiki Tavi” She’s an amazing young […]

Jackie Farwell of BDN – I want to be your new BFF. You keep writing on topics near and dear to my heart. In your June 18th’s article you tell the story of a Physician Assistant (PA) who risked further jeopardy to his career through continued use of alcohol. The consent agreement allows the PA […]

For over nine years we have produced a staggering number of combat veterans. We continue to fail in supporting successful transitions in coming home and in advancing their careers (civilian or military). The failure of our government to acknowledge, diagnose, and treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is well documented. […]

Do the Work I get a text message – don’t know the number and there’s no name. All it says is, “please, please call me.” The thought process seems to be that if they know me and my number surely I must know them and theirs. I dial the number and offend the person who […]

Where do we stand? I like stability. It gives me a sense of safety and well being. Having a solid foundation in my life reduces my stress and makes it easier to grow, heal, and learn. I met with a man recently who told me that every time he trusts someone he ends up, “having […]

· “You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?” – Talking Heads “Once in a Lifetime” There are places we find ourselves. We didn’t intend to go there. We caught out reflection in the glass section of the door frame and realized, “yeah, I guess this is where I’m going.” Whether it’s an […]

She’s explaining her recovery in the way a scientist would describe a physics experiment. Everything is cause and effect. She is beyond frustrated because none of the changes she’s made resulted in feeling better. I point out to her that every change she has made is external and suggest that what she needs to change […]

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Jim LaPierre

Jim LaPierre LCSW CCS is the Executive Director of Higher Ground Services in Brewer, Maine. He is a Recovery Ally, mental health therapist and addictions counselor. He specializes in facilitating recovery (whether from addiction, trauma, depression, anxiety, or past abuse) overcome obstacles, and improve their quality of life. Jim offers a limited amount of online therapy to those with very flexible schedules.